I remember when Final Fantasy VII first came out, I got it the first week and I had to wait until the next day after school to play. When I did get home, I tore the shrink wrap off and opened the case (ahhhh, that new game smell). Upon popping in the disc, I was mesmerized and played for countless hours that night, only stopping to eat, go to the bathroom and eventually go to bed. I recall that game being all I thought about for days and weeks, until I finally beat it and set it aside.

I did replay through it once afterwards, some years later, but the magic was gone. It just wasn't the same as I remembered on that first playthrough of it back when it came out. The game looked horrible (yes, I know it was one of Square's first 3D games) to me, and I was just bored of it after playing 2-3 hours of it at a time. I tried playing it again a few weeks ago and the game just aged horribly, especially compared to other "classics" like FFVI, Chrono Trigger and the like.

the game does not look great today, for example FFX looks better then games on the Wii.

However its the stroyline that keeps people so fond of the game.

I was never fond of the storyline to begin with, so I don't think that was a factor with me not liking it as much when I replayed it. I can always pick up FFVI or CT and replay them anytime; there's just something about some games that click with you no matter how many times you play it, and FFVII doesn't have that.

ff9 is great, i played it again not that long ago.

Yeah, I played FF9 a second time about a year ago and I enjoyed it about the same as when I first played it.

to clarify: i am a huge fan of the typical RPG clichés. But when i replayed FF9, the dialogues just felt sooooo cheesy to me..  but yeah, none of the FF games aged that good, and thats why they actually are so great  - they're built for their timeframe, and kept popular by nostalgia alone.  even if i, as your typical long-time-FF fan and critic think that Square's glory is long gone (since every new FF Game sucks.. or so i say, since nothing beats nostalgia driven expectations) i have to say they do a good job to redefine their stuff enough to be considered  very Modern RPGs, made for the timeframe it is beeing released in,  to build up nostalgia for newcomers - things to remember.

@FF7: but another reason for games (especially RPGs) to age poorly, are the old mechanics. there is just too much stuff you take for granted nowadays (like.. a minimap? talent tree's? Voice Overs?(!)) and on top, you know whats happening. you know that Cloud's a sephiroth Clone, you know aerith will die, so nothing is left to impress you, but annoy you instead.

but since i keep the time i HAD with those games in mind forever, i know they were Milestones and great experience's, so even if i see how poor they've aged, i cant help myself, i still say 'those are THE GAMES!' , since they were. back then. And no one can deny that Sephiroth is still THE Badass. =]

oh, and no spoiler warnings; because, if you didnt play these games until now, you do not deserve to be warned. :P

(Edit; Oh and sorry for bad english if there is, i am not really used to write bigger ammounts of text in english.. =/ ..very insecure and stuff)

I know it's a pretty cliche response, but it really depends on who you are and what your personal preferences are. For example, Final Fantasy VI was near impossible for me to play twice, whereas I pretty much play Final Fantasy VII once every two years. Although, I will agree with you that Chrono Trigger is a blast. I can see why FFVII can be hard for you to play through again though, since you didn't enjoy the story as much (lacking the punch from the first experience) and the graphics have aged. To be honest, I have also experienced the same feelings towards games I once loved.

Still love it.

Nostalgia makes things seem much better than they actually are.

I get the same feeling today as I did the first time I played it. I dont know why but that game has no equal in my eyes.